Making Date Night Fun Again

Article by Rachel for FoxNews.com Magazine

The term “date night” has become ubiquitous. I’m so glad to see that many of us are eagerly embracing an activity that has so many positive benefits.

Clearly, we understand the premise that connecting with our spouse as an adult is a necessary ingredient toward keeping a marriage healthy and vibrant. Plus it’s a great way to ensure that romance will live on.

There are so many good reasons to have a regular date night on your calendar. Date night should be something you and your spouse enthusiastically plan for and look forward to. View it as a special moment in your hectic lives when the children and other stressors are temporarily shelved. Plus, studies show that when couples do new and fun things together it actually builds new neural pathways in their brains, which allows them to connect in deeper ways.

Enticed? I hope so! Now get to work. Here are a few great places to start:

"My Turn, Your Turn” dates. Women often complain that their husbands never put any effort into planning dates. Put him to the test and take turns planning something new and unique to do with each other. Keep it a secret until the day of.

Do a fun activity together. Don’t just go to dinner. Go dancing, see live music, attend a cooking class or a sporting event. When you do something you really enjoy with your partner, it stimulates your brain’s “feel-good” zone and actually makes you happy!

Tease your brain. Plan a date out of your intellectual comfort zone. Take a class together. Attend a lecture. See a play or a foreign movie and discuss it with your partner afterward.

Make a commitment to have some sex date nights as well. If you’re in a rut, putting a sex date on the calendar is a really good thing. Try not to make excuses ("I’m tired’’ or "I’m stressed"), and remember that once you get started, it’s always fun.

Tennis anyone? Exercising with your partner is a great way to burn calories and get your competitive juices flowing as well. Book a court, join a sports league, or hit a yoga class.

Find time to kiss. Kissing is so romantic, erotic and fun. It’s a great non-verbal way to say, “I love you, I’m attracted to you, and you are important to me.”

Volunteer for a good cause together. Sign up to assist a cause that is important to both of you. You’ll spend time with each other, but you’ll also make a difference and help others.

Can’t find a sitter? Try a date night at home. Put the kids to bed. Then, crack open a fine bottle of wine and cook a delicious meal together. Eat it slowly by candlelight.

Schedule a couple’s massage. Benefits of massage abound. Plus relaxing together with your paramour is really special. If you’ve done this already, go again. And if you’ve never experienced it, book it now.

These are just a few ideas from my personal repertoire. Challenge yourself and create some unique traditions to keep date night exciting for you.